Mob boss 'Skinny Joey' Merlino allegedly flouted strict court rules on Wednesday to greet one of the jurors at his racketeering trial by her name.

Merlino, 55, is facing 20 years behind bars if convicted of the federal racketeering he is accused of.

On Wednesday, after another day of testimony at the Manhattan Federal Courthouse in New York, Merlino and his 'crew' are said to have approached the woman as she waited for an elevator at the courthouse.

'Hi, Sylvia,' Merlino is alleged to have said.

Many would have quaked in fear but the woman, whose last name has not been released, said she was stunned by his brazenness.

Mob boss 'Skinny Joey' Merlino was reprimanded in court on Thursday for allegedly approaching a juror at the end of the day on Thursday and calling her by her name. He is pictured arriving at Manhattan's Federal Courthouse for his racketeering trial on February 1

She reported the incident to the judge and was allowed to remain on the jury after vowing that it would not impair her judgement of the case.

Describing the encounter, she said it was 'not close, but, like, he was on that side, on the opposite side over there, before you get to the exit.'

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Merlino, who denied ever approaching her or speaking to her, was reprimanded by the judge on Thursday.

According to The New York Post, which attended the trial, he was told by Judge Richard Sullivan: 'Mr. Merlino, you are to have no contact with jurors, even to say, "Good morning," even to say, "Hello." Do you understand?'

Merlino mumbled a response.

The incident is said to have happened on Thursday night after a dramatic day of testimony from witness John 'Junior' Rubeo, a former confidante of Merlino's who turned on him to inform the FBI of his alleged criminal activity.

Rubeo stunned the court and, in particular, Merlino's wife Deborah, when he claimed that the Philadelphia crime figure had been 'sleeping' with a pharmaceutical sales representative called 'Zee'.

Merlino's wife Deborah are pictured leaving Manhattan Federal Court on January 31. She was likely part of the 'crew' that the juror described

Deborah Merlino, the defendant's wife, is pictured in Palm Beach in August 2016 after his arrest. She was stunned by the claim made on Wednesday that her husband had a mistress

She was somehow involved the an alleged scheme of Merlino's to sell pain relieving cream with fake prescriptions he would obtain by bribing doctors.

What exactly 'Zee's' alleged role was was not made clear, but Rubeo said: 'Listen, he got caught sleeping with her.'

The comment shocked Merlino's glamorous wife Deborah whose face froze at the admission, according to those present.

During a break in the proceedings a short while later, the couple were seen talking in 'hushed' tones in the hallway, surrounded by lawyers and confidantes.

Merlino, 55, then reportedly asked a New York Post reporter present not to include mention of 'the girl' in their coverage of the hearing.

'Don't put the girl in,' he is alleged to have said.

Merlino's lawyer was incredulous at Rubeo's remark.

During cross-examination, he fired back at Rubeo, asking: 'So now you are telling us that Joey slept with this rep?'

Rubeo replied: 'Yes, that's what he told me.'

Larter, Merlino and his wife left the court together.

The couple has two college age daughters.

John 'Junior' Rubeo made the claim while testifying against Merlino on Wednesday. He is shown in an old mugshot and is not facing charges

It is not known if Deborah joined him on Thursday.

Rubeo is the government's star witness in the case against Merlino. If convicted, he will spend 20 years in jail.

It would not be his first time behind bars.

He spent 12 years in jail until 2011 for his role in another racketeering scheme and in 1985, he spent four years incarcerated for his role in an armored truck robbery.

He denies the new charges and last year rejected a plea deal which would have seen him spend between two or three years behind bars.

Prosecutors say he is responsible for heading up the largest crime syndicate in the area from his Boca Raton, Florida, home.

Merlino was arrested in August 2016 along with dozens of other well-groomed mobsters they say are involved.